Youths find harmony through Tribe Music Mentorship Program

LEOMINSTER -- Watch out, Leominster. The Tribe Music Mentorship Project is here and side effects may include an uncontrollable urge to sing, dance and express yourself like never before.

The Fitchburg-based group, led by vocalist Wil Darcangelo, has begun an after-school group Thursday afternoons at the Boys & Girls Club of Fitchburg and Leominster in an attempt to reach out to Leominster youth and younger children of both cities and create a music -- and maybe one day theater -- program for the club.

Tribe Chorus, as it has been coined, meets Thursdays from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. and is open to all ages, Darcangelo said. While the Tribe has primarily consisted of teens from Fitchburg High School, it now has members ranging in age from 10 to about 70, he said. Older members mentor younger ones, but there's also a great deal to learn from the younger members, as well, Darcangelo said.

"It's not about knowing how to teach, it's abou knowing how to learn," he said.

Known for its laid back and accepting atmosphere that can bring even the shiest of the shy out of their shells to belt out in beautiful harmonies, the group has always been open to kids from other schools. Finding transportation to FHS can be an obstacle, however, Darcangelo said, so he's happy to have a more centralized location at which to meet.

He said it also meant a lot to him to be able to provide an arts program for club, as its teen center is named after his late best friend, Bruce Lawrence, who passed away in 2008.

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"He worked for many years to get the space for the club, and died before it all came to pass," Darcangelo said. "So the idea of having something now to bring to this space that meant so much to him, it really means a lot to me personally. I'm really excited about doing something here."

Grace Kirrani, 13, of Fitchburg, came to the first meeting of the chorus on Jan. 17, and found a very welcoming crew of kids who wanted to teach music and just sing for the fun of it.

"It's an amazing experience," she said. "It's great to work with them, and they've been teaching me a lot. They're a blast."

Grace said she was happy to have the chance to try something new, and that she instantly felt comfortable to be herself around the group.

"You don't really find these opportunities a lot," the Memorial Middle School student said. "So if you get the chance, you've got to jump at it."

Luna Cullen, 16, of Fitchburg, has been involved with the Tribe since October, and feels the chorus is a chance for her to give to others what Tribe has done for her.

"I'm really shy. It's really hard for me to sing in front of anybody," she said. "Since I came here, I've been less shy. I've been out there, doing things I never used to do."

When the Tribe performed at Fitchburg Artistree a few months ago, Cullen sang in front of an entire crowd, she said, and was recently on Fitchburg Access Television.

Cullen said the Tribe is like family.

Darcangelo has been working with the kids on a version of Jason Mraz's "I Won't Give Up," which the chorus will perform Feb. 6 at FHS at Mayor Lisa Wong's State of the City address, following the Hometown Hero awards ceremony.

"Our goal is to be encouraging and empowering at all times," Darcangelo said. "Music is just an excuse to accomplish that goal."

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